Turkish jets neutralize 5 PKK militants in northern Iraq
Turkish soldiers in a tank and an armored vehicle patrol on the road to the town of Beytussebab in the southeastern Sirnak province, Turkey, September 28, 2015. (REUTERS/Stringer/File)
Ankara (IraqiNews.com) — Turkish fighter jets neutralized five PKK militants in northern Iraq in an air operation, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry on Monday.
In a statement, the ministry said the airstrike was carried out in coordination with Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization in the Hakurk region.
Turkish authorities often use the term “neutralized” in statements to imply the militants in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.
On May 27, Turkey launched the Operation Claw against the PKK in Hakurk. To date, the ongoing offensive has neutralized dozens of militants.
PKK militants often use northern Iraq as a base to plan cross-border terror attacks in Turkey.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.